Does Medicare Cover Dental? What Original Medicare and Advantage Pay
Original Medicare doesn't cover routine dental services like cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures, or implants in most cases. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover routine dental as an added benefit, so check your plan.
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What dental care does Original Medicare cover?
Very little. In most cases you pay all costs for routine dental, but Medicare may cover inpatient hospital dental care and dental services tied to certain covered medical treatments.
Examples include an oral exam and dental treatment before a heart valve replacement or organ transplant, and a tooth extraction to treat a mouth infection before chemotherapy.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover dental?
Some do. Under Medicare Part C, some Medicare Advantage plans may cover and pay for routine and other dental services as an added benefit, and benefits vary by plan.
Check the plan's Evidence of Coverage for exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns, and dentures. Ask about yearly limits, waiting periods, and which dentists are in network.
How can seniors lower dental costs without coverage?
Compare a discount plan, a dental school clinic, and community programs. Discount plans typically cut prices 10% to 60% at participating dentists, with no waiting period or yearly limit.
- 1Get a written treatment plan with prices.
- 2Ask your dentist about in-house membership plans and payment options.
- 3Price a dental school clinic near you.
- 4Compare a discount plan against insurance.
- 5Run the savings finder for local options.
Quick answers
Does Medicare cover dentures?
In most cases, no. Medicare doesn't cover dentures or implants. Some Advantage plans may.
Does Medicare cover dental before heart surgery?
It can. Medicare may cover an oral exam and dental treatment before a heart valve replacement.
Do I pay anything for covered dental services?
Yes. For Part B-covered dental services you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after the Part B deductible, and facility copayments may apply.
How do I find out if my Advantage plan covers dental?
Ask your plan. CMS advises checking with your specific plan for the dental services it covers.
Plan your dental spending
Compare insurance, discount plans, and cash prices for the work you need.
Open Insurance vs CashBetterGrin shares general dental education. It does not diagnose conditions or replace care from a licensed dentist or doctor. Costs and plan terms vary by plan, state, and provider.